Derek Trucks is considered one of the best guitar players alive. For more than a decade he has been the musical force behind the revitalized Allman Brothers Band. He also developed a large following through his constant touring with Derek Trucks Band. But in recent years the center of his creative energy has been the massive 11-piece band he formed with his wife, blues powerhouse, Susan Tedeschi. The Tedeschi Trucks Band's most recent disc Made Up Mind was released last year. And, Trucks has announced that he will be leaving Allman Brothers Band at the end of 2014.

Pennlive reached Trucks at his hotel in New York just after Allman Brothers Band opened what might be their last annual residency at The Beacon Theater earlier this month. The always sold out series had gotten off to an awkward start with Trucks' uncle, Butch Trucks missing an encore then sitting out a full show resulting in the first ABB performances in 44 years without his drumming.

Trucks' unsettled foreboding about this run at Beacon proved prophetic; after this interview, the handful of remaining shows were postponed, according to reports, due to Gregg Allman having bronchitis.

Q: So how has the start of March madness at The Beacon going?

A: It is as crazy as it always is. There is a great energy from the audience this year. And, on stage, for the most part, there is a great energy coming off. There is a sense this could be the last 10 or 15 shows and let's leave it all out here. It is interesting because some of it is unsettled. I don't know exactly when and where it is going to end. But musically we have had some really strong moments.

Q: I read online that Butch Trucks did not come out for an encore at the first Beacon show?

A: We had an incident with my uncle being under the weather and not being able to finish a show, which I have never seen happen. But then we flew my younger brother Duane Trucks to fill in for a show. He just whupped ass, which was exciting to watch for me. I was more nervous for him sitting in than I have been for years on stage. It was the first show Butch has ever missed as an Allman Brother. The only way that felt right was having another Trucks up there in his place.

Q: So, back to that unsettled word. Are you reconsidering leaving at the end of the year?

A: No. I am settled. I try to only have to say things once and mean it. I have been thinking about it for a longtime. I just really feel like in some sense if you love something enough you got to turn it loose. I want to see this band go out correctly. I am not sure exactly how that is going to shake out but for me that is all you can do is step away.

Q: You go on the road right after the Beacon shows with Tedeschi Trucks?

A: Two days after the Beacon ends we start our tour. There is not a lot of breathing time. When you are trying to make something work with a new group you have to get out and play. That is the only way for things to grow, musically and for an audience to hear what you are doing. There is no shortcut for that. Susan and me talked about it and now is the time. We have been on the road long enough to know better but we are still young enough to deal with it.

Q: Are there some other lessons you learned in your years in Allman Brothers Band that you are applying now?

A: I think the biggest lesson is that if the music is honest and real then it lasts. Just do it the right way. Don't cut corners. Give it everything you got. That is a formula that actually works especially if you have talented people around you. It is kind of basic but I feel like you don't pander; you don't compromise what you feel should be happening musically ever. You just don't do it. For me that is one of the biggest lessons.

You also learn a lot of what not to do from a band that has had as many ups and downs as Allman Brothers. One of the biggest things I have taken away from it is you have to have open communication. If there is an issue then you deal with it. You get everyone in a room and you say your piece. You open up lines of communication. Anytime there have been bumps in the road for Allman Brothers I feel the lack of that has been the cause of it. I guess that is a common story in all of human relationships. But that is one of the things I take away from it forming a new band.

Q: Having seen a family band up close you and your wife still decided to form a family band?

A: We have been together for 10 years before we decided to put a band together. We felt like we knew each other pretty well. We felt good about doing it. We went into this with our eyes open. I can honestly say it has been better for us personally and it has been better for our relationship playing together. We are able to be a full family together.